Testing apparatus for examinations

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for recording correct answers to a multiple choiceanswer examination wherein a punch card coding correct answers is used in the apparatus at a control panel. The test is taken at a remote panel with answers being effected by closing circuits through selected switches which are either closed at the punch card or open depending upon whether the answer is correct or incorrect.



1. A testing apparatus for a student to totalize a sequence of multiple choice-answer questions and to simultaneously tally the number of questions answered correctly, with the questions each having the same number of answer choices, said apparatus comprising: a. a remote panel having a plurality of normally off answer switches, the same as the number of answer choices of each question, whereby a question is answered by shifting a selected switch to an on position; b. a control panel having a totalizer means to record the total number of questions asked and a correct-answer tally means to record the total number of questions answered correctly; c. an answer lead from each switch at the remote panel to the control panel and power lead to energize the answer lead of a switch whenever the switch is shifted from its off to its on position; d. a means adapted to actuate the totalizer means whenever one of the answer leads is energized; e. a selector means at the control panel including: a sequence lead for each question of the aforesaid sequence oriented transversely to the answer leads, a punch card means between the sequence leads and the answer leads having openings to interconnect each sequence lead with a selected answer lead which represents the correct answer to the question associated with the specified sequence lead and a stepper means shiftable responsive to actuation of the totalizer means to interconnect each sequence lead sequentially with the aforesaid tally means to energize the tally means each time a question is answered correctly; and f. a circuit array means interconnecting the answer switches at the remote panel adapted to disable the answer leads from the other switches whenever one of the switches is shifted from its off to its on position, whereby to limit the student to the selection of one answer only and to immediately set the machine for answering the next subsequent question as soon as he shifts a switch.
 2. In the testing apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein: each answer switch has a plurality of poles forming double-throw switch arms, the same as the number of answer switches, with the pole arms being at one array of off contacts at one side of the throw when the switch is on and at the opposite array of contacts when the switch is off; and wherein each answer lead includes a portion which extends in series from the pole of its switch to the poles and the off-contacts of the other switches and thence to the said power lead, whereby the shifting of the poles of one answer switch energizes the answer lead of that switch, but opens the answer leads of the other circuits to render them inoperative.
 3. In the testing apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said connecting means includes a carrier having a fixed section and a movable section adapted to move against the fixed section; said plurality of answer switch leads comprise elongated bus bars extending across one of the sections in a plane transverse to the movement between the sections; and each said question switch lead terminates as a plurality of contact heads opposing each of the respective bus bars, with the contact heads of all of the question leads being adapted to move towards contact with the respective bus bars whenever the two sections are moved together; and said punch card means interposed between the two sections permitting only a selected contact head of each question lead to contact a bus bar.
 4. In the testing apparatus defined in claim 3, including a lever adapted to move the two sections together and apart; a reset relay in the stepper means adapted to reset the arm to its initial position; a circuit including the reset relay and a normally open switch, said switch being adapted to be closed responsive to shifting of the lever to separate the sections.
 5. In the apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein said totalizer counter includes a means adapted to throw a switch; a circuit lead connecting with the aforesaid switch and extended to the remote panel; a totalizer counter having a reset means at the remote panel adapted to operate in unison with said totalizer at the control panel; and wherein said circuit lead connects with the counter reset means and when energized by closing of said switch, will reset the totalizer counter to its beginning position.
 6. In the apparatus set forth in claim 2, including an indicator means at the remote panel and a lead extending from the aforesaid correct answer tally lead, adapted to actuate the indicator whenever the correct-answer counter lead is energized, whereby to indicate a correct answer at the remote panel.
 7. In the apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said totalizer counter includes a means adapted to throw a switch and a lead at the control panel having a visual means associated therewith and with the indicator switch adapted to be thrown whenever the totalizer counter counts the total number of questions in the examination to close said lead and actuate the visual indicator therein. 